IceDogs tame Wolves

In a 7-1 whipping at the hands of the Niagara IceDogs, there were very few positives to be taken out of Tuesday night's game for the Sudbury Wolves.

“Normally, when I com out of a game, I can pinpoint the good and the bad pretty easily, but I don't know if I'll pull much positive out of this one,” said head coach Dave Matsos.

“We needed to play a high-tempo game, and not wait for turnover. We needed to force turnovers, but it's almost like we sat there and admired their skill.”

Matt Schmalz scored the lone goal for the Wolves at 15:52 of the first period. His goal tied up the game at 1 each, but was shortlived as the IceDogs went up 2-1 less than four minutes later to end the scoring for the frame.

The IceDogs muzzled any defensive efforts the Wolves tried to muster the rest of the game, scoring four unanswered goals in the second period, and their seventh goal in the third.

The Wolves managed 23 shots on net to the IceDogs' 38 shots on net.

“We had trouble just making easy hockey plays,” Matsos said. “It takes a completely different creativity than we've had. Tonight, nothing seemed to work, not even the simplest of passes.

“(The team is) run down physically and mentally, the way things have gone lately; nonetheless, if you can't do it, then you shouldn't sign up for it. I was taught that tiredness is a state of mind, and if you believe that, you'll be fine.”

A total of 20 penalties were handed out, a dozen to Sudbury, and eight to Niagara.

The Pack is now preparing to face off against the Belleville Bulls Friday night, then the North Bay Battalion Saturday night.